Photo Journal: Colorful charms

Traditional decorations, called "sagemon" for Japan's "hinamatsuri" girls' day festival celebrated on March 3, are seen in Yanagawa, Fukuoka Prefecture. To wish girls good health, locals here hang ornaments such as dolls and temari balls made of the remnants of kimono as good luck charms. The tradition is believed to have begun in the Edo period to celebrate a girl's first hinamatsuri. A hinamatsuri event will be held in the city from Feb. 11 through April 3 during which the dangling ornaments will be displayed throughout the city. (Mainichi)